Prince Chese
Three people appeared before the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court on allegations of illegally dealing in ivory following an undercover operation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) earlier last year.
Nokukhanya Gumede, Joseph Muleya and Pakamani Maphosa are accused of attempting to sell ivory at Emlast Garage in Beitbridge in March 2025, an allegation they have all denied.
Giving evidence, CID officer Detective Joshua Chirape told the court that on 10 March 2025, the CID received a tip-off about individuals suspected to be trading in ivory.
Acting on the information, detectives allegedly engaged Emanuel Smango, who was believed to be a key link in the transaction, posing as potential buyers.
Chirape said Smango directed the officers to Nokukhanya Gumede, who resides in the Busycave area of Beitbridge.
The CID later communicated directly with Gumede and arranged to conclude the transaction on 21 March 2025 at Emlast Garage.
On the agreed date, Gumende allegedly arrived at the meeting point driving a blue Honda Fit, with a yellow bag containing ivory found in the boot.
The CID also recovered two passports, said to belong to Gumede and her daughter, during the operation.
The court heard that Gumede was allegedly working in connection with Joseph Muleya and Pakhamani Maphosa, who were believed to have links to cross-border movements through the Beitbridge Border Post into Musina, South Africa, on the same day.
Maphosa was reportedly driving another Honda Fit linked to the transaction.
All three suspects were arrested at the scene. The CID seized the alleged ivory, the two passports and three Samsung mobile phones.
Chirape testified that the accused failed to produce permits or licences authorising the possession or transportation of ivory, leading to their arrest.
For transparency, the CID later involved officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority the following day to assess the seized items.
However, the accused denied the charges.
In their defence, they told the court that Maphosa was merely a taxi driver, while Muleya claimed he was only an agent.
Gumede argued that she had been sent by Smango to deliver the bag to Muleya and denied that she had travelled from South Africa, stating that the passports seized were not stamped.
The court also heard that on 23 May, Detective Chirape compiled an affidavit detailing the events and exhibits from the operation.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Ronald Mugwagwa challenged the CID’s handling of the evidence, arguing that there was a lack of transparency regarding the seized items, particularly inconsistencies in six copies of the seizure forms.
Presiding magistrate Victor Mpofu postponed the matter to 30 January 2026, when the defence case is expected to proceed.